Practice-triangle.



T. MATTHAY.

PRACTICE TRIANGLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1 a. 191s.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

N J w w COLUMBIA PLANoamn co wmlm D.c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TOBIAS MATTHAY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO BOSTON BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF WEST IVIUSIC COMPANY, OF VIRGINIA.

PRACTICE-TRIANGLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

Application filed March 18, 1915. Serial No. 15,226.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TOBIAS MATTHAY, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and resident of London, England, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Practice- Triangles, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to practice triangles and its object is to providea simple device whereby pianists may acquire rotative freedom of theforearm with the fingers evenly extended so as to enable them toovercome the undesirable forcing down of the arm which results in harshtones and bad technique.

()ne embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings inwhich Figure 1 is a front elevation of my practice triangle with theparts thereof in position for use. Fig. 2 is a plan View. Fig. 3 is afront elevation showing the triangle with its parts folded fortransportation. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on theline 44 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section taken onthe line 5-5 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on theline 66 of Fig. 1.

In the particular drawings selected for more particularly disclosing thepreferred form of my invention, 1 represents a base of wood or othersuitable material, to one end of which the side member 2 is connected bythe hinge 3, and to said side member a similar member 4 is connected bythe hinge 5, which, as shown, is secured to the cleats 6 and 7 connectedrespectively with said side members. The lower end of the side member 4is provided with a tenon 8 arranged to take into the mortise 9 at oneend of the base. Means are provided for suitably securing the parts inerected position and in the present instance I accomplish this by thehook 10 pivotally attached to the inner face of the side member 4 andcooperating with the eye 11 secured to the top of the base, and also thehook l2 pivotally connected to the edge of the side member 4 andcooperating with the eye 13 in top of said base.

While the triangle obviously may have its parts permanently secured inoperative position, I prefer to construct the same as shown so that itmay be conveniently fold-v ed for transportation. When folded, the hook12, as shown in Fig. 3 will be received by the eye 1% secured in theedge of the side member 2 near its point of attachment with the hinge 3.

The preferred cross-section of the side members is shown in Fig. 6, theouter face thereof being curved and tapering toward the front.

In operation the user will place the triangle on a table or support itupon his knees, holding the same with one hand near the top or the baseto steady it and extending any two fingers of the other hand as widelyas possible across the triangle, gently but firmly grasping the sidesthereof with the said two fingers, and while continuing this grip, amplybut freely rotating, twisting or rolling the forearm and hand a fewtimes each way. It is desirable that this partial rotation each wayshould be accomplished with absolute freedom and without the slightestrestraint in the movement, so that the wrist itself is rotated upon anaXis without any side-to-side movements or any displacement thereof.After having practised this exercise a few times. the user willsubstitute for the slow twisting action, a slight vibratory action,rotationally as rapid as in an ordinary trill. Generally the fingersshould be held straight out, although occasionally it is well topractice with them in their bent position. Various combinations offingerings will be used, for example, 1-2; 23; 3%; l5.

It will be understood of course that I do not limit myself to the use ofmy improved practice triangle in any particular manner and also thatvarious modifications may be made in the device specifically describedwithout departing from the principle of my invention as set forth in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A practice triangle comprising a base member and two side members,the outer face of each side member being curved and tapering toward thefront.

2. A practice triangle comprising a base member, a side member hingedlyconnected thereto, a second side member hingedly connected to the firstside member and means for locking the said members in erected po tion-3. A practice triangle comprising a base subscribed my name this 19thday of Februmember, a side member hingedly connected ary, 1915. thereto,a second side member hingedly 0on nected with the first mentioned sidemem- 5 ber, and means for locking said members in folded position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto TOBIAS MATTHAY.

Witnesses:

R. F. WILLIAMS, RIPLEY WILSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C.

